Benfica looking at return of David Luiz

Benfica are being linked once again with former defender David Luiz who will become a free agent in the summer after his contract with Arsenal expires. Luiz was linked with a return to Benfica last summer but re-signed for another year with the London based club. The 34 year old was with Benfica last, in the winter of the 2010/11 before being sold to Chelsea for €25M.

Luiz spent three and half seasons with Chelsea before moving to PSG for two seasons and then returning to Chelsea for three more years before settling with Arsenal in the summer of 2019. Benfica is rumoured to have offered Luiz a salary of €33,000 a week to join the club which would be a major pay cut from his current €100,000 a week he currently earns.

A move to a crowded Benfica back end is not the best resources of funds that the team could spend considering the club needs to shore up it's midfield for next season. Luiz appeared in 130 games across all competitions while at Benfica were he scored six goals while setting up nine. The ball would be in Luiz's court if he would be open to take a massive pay cut to join a club he still loves.

Benfica discuss Cruzeiro left back Pereira

Benfica have had discussions with agent Fernando Britto who represents left back Matheus Pereira of Cruzeiro on the agents recent visit to Portugal. The 20 year old Pereira was promoted to Cruzeiro's main squad in August and has recently signed a contract with the Brazilian club until the summer of 2023 but that has not stopped Britto from shopping his player's services to other clubs. FC Porto have also been in talks Britto during his current visit but neither club has made any formal proposal to Cruzeiro for Pereira. Benfica have already been linked with Wolves left back Ruben Vinagre which leads many to believe that current starting left back Alex Grimaldo could potentially be on the move this summer.

 

Diogo Goncalves has earned the right to be starter

Diogo Goncalves has taken a long path to get to were he is today, after spending the majority of his youth at Benfica's Seixal academy. Goncalves went through an unsuccessful loan spell with English side Nottingham Forest and then a terrific season last year on loan at Famalicao before remaining with the club this season. If Jorge Jesus got one thing right since his return back to the club, it was giving Goncalves time to learn to play right back a new position for Goncalves who was accustomed to playing on the right wing.

After the season ending injury to starting right back Andre Almeida in just the fourth game of the season, the right back position fell to summer arrival Gilberto. The 28 year old Brazilian kept the spot warm until Goncalves was unleashed in February and his fine form has earned him a regular place among the starting XI. Goncalves should remain in that position after the return of regular starter Andre Almeida as he has looked good in Jesus' 4-4-2 formation along with his 3-5-2 formation which sees Goncalves play higher up the field.

Since becoming the clubs regular starting right back, Goncalves has appeared in 15 games and scored twice while setting up another five goals across all competitions. His set piece goal against Arsenal in the Europa League round of 32 was magnificent and a statement that he had finally arrived and the clubs search for an every day right back was over. Goncalves was recently awarded as Benfica's break through player of the year which should only cement his place with the squad next season.